Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Herald Reporter
THE City of Harare says more than 350 000 properties are not on its billing database, a situation that is significantly affecting revenue collection and service delivery.
Speaking during a Ward 9 virtual residents’ feedback meeting on Thursday, Ward 9 Councillor Prince Mutebuka said the city currently bills about 270 000 properties, while more than 350 000 others remain outside the billing system.
Clr Mutebuka said the imbalance places an unfair burden on ratepayers who are paying for municipal services, while many property owners are not contributing to the city’s revenue base.
“So now we have engaged Central Government to see how we can regularise these settlements, the Harare South, Hatcliffe and parts of Dzivarasekwa,” he said.
“We want to bring these 350 000 properties onto council’s billing system, and that will boost our revenue collection rather than having residents of Greendale having to pay money so that we deliver service to people that are living in Harare for free.
“So if you are living in Harare, you have to pay. If you have got a property portfolio, billing list of around 700 000 people, at least that can be able to sustain the level of service delivery that is needed in the city,” he said.
